Monday, January 10, 2011Last Update: 11:04 AM PT

Appeals Bid From Birther Lawyer Rejected, Again

(CN) - California attorney Orly Taitz, a leader of the "birther" movement challenging President Obama's citizenship, lost another bid in the Supreme Court on Monday to overturn the $20,000 fine she incurred in a Georgia federal court. Taitz had appealed the fine to Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas, respectively, in August and July. Each appeal has been denied. The 11th Circuit had also backed U.S. District Judge Clay Land's decision to impose the fine "as a deterrent to prevent future misconduct and to protect the integrity of the court." "The absolute absence of any legitimate legal argument, combined with the political diatribe in her motions, demonstrates that Ms. Taitz's purpose is to advance a political agenda and not to pursue a legitimate legal cause of action," Land wrote in his 43-page ruling. Taitz had sued on behalf of Army Capt. Connie Rhodes, who fought deployment to Iraq by claiming that, despite evidence to the contrary, Obama wasn't born in Hawaii, as records indicate. Many "birthers" claim that Obama was actually born in Kenya, where his father is from. The lawsuit called Obama an "illegal usurper, unlawful pretender and unqualified impostor." "Although counsel has managed to fuel this 'birther movement' with her litigation and press conferences, she does not appear to have prevailed on a single claim," Land wrote.